Where Should You Golf This Autumn? Austria, Italy, Spain or Ireland?
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Autumn is one of our favourite times of year for a golf holiday.
The intense heat of summer begins to ease, many courses become quieter and there are often some excellent-value packages available. It is also a season that gives golfers plenty of choice. You can chase late sunshine in southern Spain, play among the vineyards of Tuscany, experience championship golf in Austria or enjoy the lakes, mountains and famous hospitality of Ireland.
So, where should you golf this autumn?
The answer depends on what matters most to your group. Here are four very different options we think are well worth considering.
Austria: Best for premium championship golf
Austria might not be the first destination UK golfers consider, but that is precisely what makes it so appealing.
Located in Atzenbrugg in Lower Austria, Diamond Country Club offers a premium resort experience built around one of the country’s most established championship venues. Its centrepiece is the 18-hole European Tour Diamond Course, which winds around a ten-hectare lake and features carefully positioned bunkers, quick greens and plenty of strategic water hazards.
The course has hosted a European Tour event on 11 occasions, giving visitors an opportunity to test themselves on the same fairways previously played by some of the leading names in professional golf. It is challenging, but the range of tees means golfers can choose a suitable test rather than spending the entire round fighting the course.
There is even more to discover in 2026. Diamond Country Club’s former Country Course has been expanded and redesigned by Olazábal Design, reopening as the new 18-hole Gold Course. Alongside the European Tour course and nine-hole Park Course, this makes the resort an increasingly complete destination for a multi-round golf break.
Autumn also brings another side of Lower Austria to life. The region celebrates its “Wine Autumn” from September until the end of October, with grape harvesting, tastings and seasonal events taking place across its wine-growing areas. It is a lovely addition for couples or groups who want to combine golf with local food, wine and a day exploring nearby Vienna.
We would recommend Austria to golfers who want excellent course presentation, championship pedigree and something a little less familiar than the usual European golf destinations.
Autumn golf offer
Three nights’ B&B and three rounds of golf
£599 per person
Valid on selected dates in September and October
Italy: Best for golf, food and culture
For some groups, the golf is only one part of the holiday. The restaurants, scenery, wine and time spent together away from the course matter just as much.
That is where Tuscany comes into its own.
Circolo Golf dell’Ugolino sits among the Chianti hills near Florence, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees, maritime pines and classic Tuscan countryside. The course was designed by Cecil Blandford and Peter Gannon, who used the natural slopes of the land rather than trying to flatten or overpower them.
Ugolino is not especially long by modern standards, but it requires careful course management. Sloping fairways can produce awkward lies, while the small greens are well protected by bunkers. Golfers who think their way around the course and place the ball carefully are likely to enjoy it far more than those who rely entirely on distance.
The club also has an important place in Italian golf history. Golf was introduced to Florence by the city’s British community during the late 19th century, while the Ugolino course was established on the edge of Chianti in 1934. It later hosted the 1983 Italian Open, won by Bernhard Langer following a play-off with Seve Ballesteros and Ken Brown.
Autumn is an especially rewarding time to visit Tuscany. The season brings the grape and olive harvests, along with truffles, mushrooms and chestnuts. The changing colours also give the countryside a different character from the busier summer months.
A golf break here can easily include an afternoon exploring Florence, a drive through the Chianti villages or a relaxed meal at a local trattoria. It is the option we would choose for a group that wants the entire holiday to feel memorable rather than simply playing golf and returning to the hotel.
Autumn golf offer
Three nights’ B&B and three rounds of golf
£719 per person
Valid on selected dates in September and October
Spain: Best for value and autumn sunshine
For golfers prioritising price, warmer weather and plenty of time on the course, Hotel Envía Almería Spa & Golf is the standout-value option.
The five-star hotel is part of a self-contained golf resort on the slopes of the Sierra de Gádor, around 16 kilometres from Almería city. Its 18-hole course covers approximately 36 hectares and offers elevated views across the surrounding mountains and towards the Bay of Almería.
Palm trees, agave plants and native Mediterranean shrubs give the course a distinctly southern Spanish setting. After the round, golfers can return to the hotel for a drink, enjoy the swimming pool or recover in the resort’s substantial spa and wellness centre.
The spa covers around 5,000 square metres and includes a water circuit, fitness facilities and a broad selection of treatments. That makes Hotel Envía particularly attractive for couples or mixed groups where not everybody plans to play all four rounds.
There is plenty to see away from the resort, too. Almería’s historic centre is dominated by the Alcazaba, a hilltop fortress originally constructed during the 10th century. Visitors can also explore the city’s restaurants and tapas bars or travel farther along the coast to the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
Cabo de Gata combines volcanic scenery, rugged cliffs, fishing villages and secluded Mediterranean beaches. It is an excellent choice for a free afternoon or an additional day at the end of the golf break.
The greatest attraction, however, is the package itself. Five nights and four rounds provide a proper golf holiday rather than a quick weekend away, while the price leaves more room in the budget for flights, meals and a few post-round drinks.
Autumn golf offer
Five nights’ B&B and four rounds of golf
£365 per personValid in September and October
Ireland: Best for scenery and atmosphere
Ireland cannot promise the same autumn sunshine as southern Spain, but it offers something that is much harder to measure: atmosphere.
Set beside Lough Leane within the scenery of Killarney National Park, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club is home to two distinctive 18-hole championship courses.
Killeen is the more demanding of the pair. It has hosted the Irish Open and combines championship-level golf with water features on almost every hole. Accuracy is important from both the tee and the fairway, particularly when approaching greens framed by the lake and surrounding woodland.
Mahony’s Point provides a slightly different experience. It offers magnificent views across the Killarney Lakes towards the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, with the final three holes playing towards the water. Its par-three 18th is widely regarded as one of the club’s most memorable holes and provides a fitting end to the round.
Killarney is also one of those destinations where the experience continues long after the final putt. The town is known for its pubs, live music, restaurants and friendly evening atmosphere. During the day, visitors can explore Killarney National Park by foot, bicycle, boat or traditional jaunting car.
Those staying longer can travel through the Gap of Dunloe, visit Muckross House or explore the famous Ring of Kerry, where mountain roads, Atlantic coastline and small villages create one of Ireland’s great scenic journeys.
We would choose Killarney for a group that values camaraderie, dramatic scenery and lively evenings just as much as the golf itself. Bring waterproofs, accept that the weather may play a part and enjoy everything that makes an Irish golf break special.
Autumn golf offer
Two nights’ B&B and two rounds of golf
£499 per person
Valid on selected dates in September and October
Which autumn golf destination should you choose?
There is no single right answer because each destination offers a very different kind of holiday.
Choose Diamond Country Club for premium facilities, championship golf and a destination your group may not have experienced before.
Choose Circolo Golf dell’Ugolino for strategic golf surrounded by Tuscan scenery, with Florence, Chianti wine and outstanding food completing the trip.
Choose Hotel Envía Almería Spa & Golf for the strongest value, a longer stay and the best chance of enjoying warm Spanish conditions.
Choose Killarney Golf & Fishing Club for unforgettable lakeside scenery, Irish hospitality and evenings filled with food, music and plenty of post-round discussion.
Whichever you choose, autumn provides a brilliant opportunity to fit in another golf holiday before winter arrives. At Hashtag Golf Travel, we can help you compare the destinations, select the best option for your group and build a trip around the kind of experience you actually want.
All offers are subject to availability and may change. Prices are per person and apply to selected travel dates. Flights, transfers and other extras are not included unless stated.
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